BigA - you should know better than to take corporate memo talking points at face value. Radio execs often lie to the public to make their snake oil sound better than it actually is. Did you expect her to say they're going to use a playlist developed by a guy in New York who seldom if ever visits the area?
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Entercom Launches Alt 98.7
- Thread starter atthestars
- Start date
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you said...wait, let me quote:
That's the benchmark you set. What's more - if I understand your position - you're also saying that form of radio is conclusively dead. You said:
On that we have to disagree. There's no "slowly" about it.
Believe whatever you want to believe. As I said there are thousands of radio stations. They all do things differently. Some have local staffs, some don't.
So you believe the part of the memo you like, and reject the part you don't?
Let's wait and see what actually happens when the music marathon ends before we prejudge the whole process.
There are indeed thousands of radio stations. Yet you claimed there are thousands and thousands who are fully staffed as if it were 1970.
Those are your words, not mine. You are of course welcome to walk back that claim.
No thanks. I stand by what I say.
Sure, stations owned by South Central, Cox, Midwest, Saga, most of the Bonneville stations, a few other groups, most of the NPR stations, plus lots of single station owners. Until 2 years ago, I would have included Entercom.
Re:
No, I reject the part that based on observation elsewhere is unlikely to be factual.
Not sure why you think Entercom is willing to spend money on local research and a robust local airstaff when their actions elsewhere in recent weeks - including its Alternative stations - have gone in the opposite direction.
I hope I'm wrong regarding what lies ahead for 98.7, but I don't believe I will be.
No, I reject the part that based on observation elsewhere is unlikely to be factual.
Not sure why you think Entercom is willing to spend money on local research and a robust local airstaff when their actions elsewhere in recent weeks - including its Alternative stations - have gone in the opposite direction.
I hope I'm wrong regarding what lies ahead for 98.7, but I don't believe I will be.
The Internet has eased the boundaries for potential distribution, but it has not diminished radio's opportunity to be a full fledged member of the community they are in. The Internet has not erased anyone's civic pride, which radio has traditionally rallied around. In fact, I believe radio's opportunity to nourish their local connection with listeners is the most important defining factor between radio and streaming services who don't run the amount of commercials that radio does. If Entercom had a roster of dynamic talent that transcended markets, like Howard Stern, the regional strategy might have some justification. For that fact, the music curation is not even buttoned up. I was listening to Alt 92.3 in NY and heard The Cure's Lovesong and 311's Lovesong within the same hour; this was obviously an overworked music director asleep at the wheel.
Let's face it, Entercom & iHeart's regional programming are straight cost-cutting with no real focus on actually improving their programming through this strategy.
Depends on what you mean by "improving their programming." The talent they have in NY and LA have direct contact with the artists and the music that you can't simulate in Detroit. As I said earlier in this thread, if the local talent don't merchandize their location by actually being visible by the community, then it doesn't matter where they are. Technology makes it possible for DJs with a local connection to host their shift from anywhere, while still making local references. Entercom is doing that now.
Unfortunately, execs at both of those companies (along with their defenders) don't grasp the fact that in an era where quality content rules, you can't cost-cut your way to success. You have to invest in your product.
They invest millions in their product. They spend far more money on their product than any streaming service.
We have to look back to 1970: stations took American Top 40 because it had a major talent for Sunday use when local stations generally had minimum wage part timers. It was a significant improvement.
Nobody ever complained that AT40 was not "local".
Oh that's right. I forgot. Just look at all the people they're hiring! They usually do it around the holidays! Yep, iHeart spends untold millions hiring talented people every year to create great radio content. Serious question: How can I get in on some of this filthy lucre they're handing out like candy?
Name all the on-air talent at Spotify and Pandora. Be my guest. How much do they spend on "creating content?"
BTW both iHeart and Entercom ARE in fact hiring people right now, and they in fact ARE content creators.
Yesterday, you claimed that the overwhelming majority of radio stations are operating at the exact same levels as they were 50 years ago, and just now claimed that iHeart and Entercom are not cutting costs at all, but rather are throwing money at their stations like never before.
Can I hitch a ride on a spaceship to this planet where you live?
They can walk and chew gum at the same time. Amazing. The word "content" covers many things. It's not just DJs saying "That was" and "This is."
That's what people don't understand. These radio companies are bigger than towers and transmitters, and content is more than local DJs. Most of the local DJs don't have digital skills, so specialists are needed. Also, while the trade media reports on the cutbacks, they never do the follow-up that these same companies often rehire some of the departed talent and staff. I personally know quite a few people who've been hired & fired multiple times by the same company. The cuts are done to meet annual budget numbers. A few months later, some of those people get rehired, sometimes in other cities.
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